How to Make a Picture Frame Clamping Device

[drail80s]

Thanks Colin, does the clamping jig you show automatically self square up the frame, or do the miters just take care of that?

Sure is alot easier than the way I was making frames sometimes' Thanks

[knecht105]

@drail80s Thanks for your comments ... the frames does self square, but sometimes the joints can be a bit sticky so you may need to help it along somewhat.

[woodlist]

I have been using one of these jigs for years. I just have the one, a commercial aluminum model. If I made one, I'd use this video. Thanks for making this. (One point: I would round off the ends of the arms, where they pivot on the center block. Looks neater and no chance of fouling.

Thanks again

Woodrow Lister.

[knecht105]

@woodlist Yes, good point Woodrow. Rounding off those pivot arms is probably a good idea, thanks for the tip.

[70ryand]

Nice, at school I needed to make a picture frame but the only thing i realy needed were elastic bands

[tubbytuba1]

Did one of your videos deal with cutting splines...?

[knecht105]

@tubbytuba1 Yes ... browse through my vids, you will see one on making splines. It's pretty easy, makes a nice strong frame and it looks cool. Maybe we could see some of your frames when you make them? Send us some pics !! :)

[tubbytuba1]

Hi Colin

Thanks for the videos. One question: will this clamping device work equally well with a rectangular (non-square) frame? I see nothing but square frames in your video and in viewer questions.

[knecht105]

@tubbytuba1 I have used it for rectangular frames and it works well. What I found worked well was to glue the frame together and after the glue has dried, then cut the splines in the corners. Not only do they make the frames look a bit more elegant, they also make the corners very strong, which is important if you are using glass.

Always happy to help if I can ... thanks for commenting :)

[vjekomirski]

respect

[i9mm2]

thanks man i think i will do this one

[bluearmyspy]

dude!!!!!! dude!!!! dude!!!! you are the man!!!! this just made my life soooooo much easier!!!! thanks for all the great help and advice!!!!!

[Rajabarel]

Hi Colin, I found this really useful and made one. I covered over the relief holes on the 4 corner blocks because the mitre joint would slip as I tightened the device, with one of the pieces going into the hole. Also, I put 3/4" pieces under the end of the 4 arms to ensure that the arms are level..

[MrTmk1204]

Thanks Colin. I will post a photo when completed later this month. I have purchased a table saw but need to watch more of your videos. Do you think a 23 guage pin nailer would work to secure this frame? If not, is cutting splines too advanced for somebody with new table saw experience? And can you also point me to any examples of mechanical fasteners you mention? Thank you again.

[knecht105]

Mechanical fasteners are simply staples or screws, nails or any other device that would help hold the sides together. Splines are quite easy to make and will make your frames very strong. We don't have anything on this topic on the site yet .. let me see if I can put something together in the next week or so on this. I would really round out the whole frame making project. Thanks for your questions and input.

[MrTmk1204]

Colin, how large a frame in inches will this hold as described. I need to create a 40 inch square frame and am wondering how long to make the arms. Thank you.. great video!

[knecht105]

This frame would be too small to accommodate a 40" square frame. My suggestion would be to make the arms at least 34" long, remember if they are too long you can always cut them a bit shorter ... on the other hand, if the arms are too short, all you have to do is make 4 new longer arms. One other note, for a frame this large you will need to reinforce the corners with either a mechanical fastener or cut and glue splines into the corners. Would love to see a photo when you're done :)